Life is all about choices and attitude. Make the right choices, keep a positive attitude-- and you will find JOY through all of your ups and downs. Hope you enjoy my thoughts!

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My JOYFUL REFLECTIONS header picture is a picture taken on 10/20/16 on our visit to the Biltmore House and Gardens in Asheville, North Carolina. I had never seen so many different colors of Poinsettias before... These HOT Pink ones were gorgeous.

Friday, August 3, 2012

Lawdy-Lawdy--Look Who's 40-50-60---SEVENTY

Elizabeth Bruce Banks (Betsy) born August 5, 1942

Uh-Oh!!!!! Another birthday????? How can that be???? This ole woman is turning SEVENTY on Sunday!!!!! Holy Cow---that's ANCIENT!!!!!

Oh Well---life is not age (although my old creaky bones let me know that I'm not 40 any longer)---but it's what you make of it and what you do with it. Right?????? I don't feel 70 (WELL--most of the time... ha)---and I certainly don't act 70.....

Today, you are going to get a picture of me taken each decade.... All in all, I've had a pretty great life for these 70 years... AND--I hope to have more decades of good health!!!!

Hope you enjoy the pictures.....

Betsy in about 1952 (although I think I was 12 instead of 10 here)

Betsy in 1962 (college picture)

Betsy and ex-husband and three sons in 1971-72

Bert was about 8, Mark -1, and Jeff--just a few months old here

Betsy and her sweet Mama in 1982

Here is one of my favorite pictures of my Mom... She was 82 years young then ---and lived 'til she was 91 (in 1991). What a wonderful lady ---and I miss her so much!

Betsy at her desk working hard in 1992 (age 50)

My favorite job all through the years was the 12 years I worked at Clear Lake United Methodist Church near Houston, TX. Such great memories from there!!!!

Mr and Mrs. George Emery Adams --June 23, 2001

This began a new life journey for me with George--and was truly the happiest decade of my entire life--with more to come! This portrait was our official wedding photograph --taken by my son, Jeff, at his studio.

Betsy at the Biltmore House and Gardens, June 14, 2012

Finally, here is a picture of one very happy lady---even if she is 70!!!!! I only hope I am doing this well and smiling like this in 2022.

I spend time on these special days thinking about my life, my joys and my struggles. There's truly not much I would change because we all go through struggles and make good and bad choices and decisions.. I think that's just part of life ---and we certainly learn from these struggles.. The key is to keep God at the center of our lives, find joy in everything we do, and live each day to its fullest. Thanks be to God for giving me these 70 years.

I am going to take a blogging break to 'really' celebrate the big 70, so I won't be back until either Friday, August 10 or Monday, August 13. Hope ALL of you have a fabulous week!!!!! Thanks for loving me!

Have a wonderful birthday with your family and enjoy your week away. May you continue to be blessed with that special quality and gift - joy. Thank you for sharing this lovely post - it has done my heart good to see the photos of you through the decades and read your wise words about life.

I so enjoyed traveling though your birthday decades with you, Betsy. In each decade you can see that you met life with an open heart and that's the key to living well. I hope your 70s are full to the brim with all that makes life joyful for you.

What a wonderful post! I loved that you traveled through your life like that. I hope you make a book of all of your posts. I never tire of them. You two behave yourselves on Sunday with all that celebration and go find a cake with seven layers on it. I'll hit that mark in three years. Gosh I sure don't feel that old. Big difference between my mother and me. She preferred to be old. I've never thought like that. :)

I think someone got the numbers wrong. You don't look or sound like a 70 year old. Don't ever start acting your age,that would be boring. Hope your birthday is extra special,just like you are. Hugs and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

enjoy your break and birthday and have a happy one. i love the idea of the every decade pics, love all of them, but the odd thing is, i like the last one best. i have the me at desk at age 50, i was selling Real Estate then. i will be 68 in sept.

Have a very Happy Birthday. I love what you said in your last paragraph. It is all so true and God IS the key! I am so grateful that I found your blog and all the inspiration that you have given me through it. May God continue to bless you and again Happy 70th Birthday with many more to follow!

I so enjoyed looking at all your photos. The thing I noticed about every one of them was your smile!!!A very very Happy Birthday to you Betsy!Enjoy your break.I agree with you about putting God in the center of your life. God had to give me a test before I learned that one. : )

That's such a lovely post idea! Each photo such a wonderful treasure! God's been good to you and you've used your talents and strengths to bless others! Have a beautiful week-end and enjoy your beautiful life for many more beautiful years together!

Happy Birthday, Betsy!!! That was really special to see the pictures of you throughout the years. I know George will do something special for you on Sunday! God's richest blessings to you on your birthday and in the coming years.

Hi precious lady, Betsy,What a wonderful post you have shared today with your amazing pictures of your lifetime!!You have been a very beautiful girl since the time you were born. I can see your beauty today and in your youth years. Your beauty sparkle like a torch of light in the evening hours. You always smile showing your happiness inside your heart. You sound like the light of the world. You are an inspiration for many, Betsy.I see it's your BIRTHDAY...HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MY SWEET DEAR FRIEND, BETSY!! HAVE A WONDERFUL TIME WITH YOUR HUSBAND, GEORGE, AND ALL YOUR BELOVED ONES!!You are taking a blogging break to celebrate and enjoy your birthday, and that is great for you...You've got a very positive attitude towards others, and I feel that you are a super friend.I am really happy to have met you in Blogland, Betsy. Anyway, thank you so much for visiting my blogs and expressing your heartfelt comments!! I highly appreciate your kindness, Besty.God may bless you all!!Warm Hugs,Poet Starry.

Betsy, I want to wish you the Happiest Birthday of all time! I really, really loved the pictures of you from each decade! You just got prettier and happy every year!The last one is my very favorite, it speaks volumes.

Wow! Lovely photos Betsy and you are very cute and sweet. I just love the photos and no one will tell you are aged when go through your hike photos. Absolutely wonderful! Many more happy returns of the day... Advance wishes.

My favorite is the one of you sitting at your desk because it told me one more thing we have in common - we are both SOUTHPAWS!!

Actually, my favorite is the most recent one because it is the Betsy I know NOW! Happy, happy birthday, my friend! Enjoy your time away from the blog, but know that I (and many others) will sorely miss you.

Best wishes Betsy for many more happy birthdays. You do very well if you can do all that hiking. Rest and enjoy your break. I would not have known that was you with your mother. Hair does change things.

Happy birthday Betsy! I really enjoyed the photo show throughout the years. I wonder what mine will look like. Probably something from man to gorilla...the opposite of evolution:) You make it look easy and wonderful! My grandma, who turned 80 this year, and my friend Sidney say the same thing as you.....it's the attitude about life and not the age that matters. It's all about the happiness. Have fun this weekend:)

Betsy--thanks for sharing your photos--they are cute and you do look very happy. Happy Birthday! I have an August birthday too. I also lived in Texas for years. Love you new header with the sunflowrers!

Betsy--Happy Birthday! I loved this beautiful grouping of photos celebrating your life so far! I especially love the happy face you have now! You are such a dear person, and I wish you and George many decades more!

I'm sorry I haven't commented, but when I clicked on your comment to me and discovered you were now on Circles, there was at first no way I could comment. Then, tonight, I got to see a number of pictures you posted, but I still don't understand how to comment on them. Circles is just not something I am familiar with. Fortunately I have you saved on my sidebar the "old" way, and could find you here! I'd been missing you!!!!

Happy, happy birthday to you Betsy. You are so sweetttt. FRom the time you were born until now. And with a heart of gold. You are still going strong. I wish you more happy days, years and everthing that God can shower you. You are an inspiration! I got teary eyed looking at your pictures and the words that goes with it. I am so happy for you.

Happy Birthday to you, sweet lady!! I'm so happy I've gotten to meet you in blogland and see your beautiful photos and read about your travels with George. I wish you many, many more years of traveling and photo taking!! Keep smiling and enjoying life. And have a wonderful and safe birthday trip!! Love, Cheryl

Happy 70th, dear Betsy! I loved reading the celebration of your life as you are living it -- and seeing all those wonderful pictures. May you have many more birthdays, see many more waterfalls and gift us with many more uplifting, life-affirming posts!

I'm not going to wish you a happy birthday, Betsy. Clearly, THAT wish has come true. All the good things that go with it have made this a beautiful time of celebration for you. So, instead of Happy Birthday, I wish you, by the Grace of God, many more Happy Birthdays to add to this one.

Happy birthday my sweet Betsy!I swear, you are just as cute today as you were in those early photos! I especially love the one of you and your mama in 1982. Your parents would be so proud of the sweet, kind and big hearted lady you turned out to be. XOXOXOXOXO

Happy Birthday!I'm like you... no regrets!My mistakes, I've learned from them and they ended up making me the woman I am today--I loved your words about putting God first & the center of your life--it truly makes a difference.so loved the pictures with a little peek into your life!Have a great birthday week!

Oh, Betsy, I love these photos...I was going to come here last night after emailing you but got detoured. We had been gone all day and I was easily distracted. You were such a cute little girl...and I love the twinkle in your eyes. I really hope that never disappears.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, YOU FABULOUS LADY!! I just want to hug you!! I loved seeing all the pictures of you as you were growing up. You are beautiful, Betsy, inside and out!! I hope you are enjoying your birthday celebration and I REALLY REALLY wish you MANY MANY MANY MORE BIRTHDAYS! I looked at the one of you in 1992 in CL. WOW! I turned 40 then and had my last son Zack that year. You know what...live has been good to you.HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Elizabeth Bruce Banks Adams!!Hugs and Kisses!Brenda

Oh Betsy may you have a lot more happy birthdays to come! I know ages is never felt as i also am thinking about it myself. And my mother who is turning 83 might not be feeling it herself, in fact that is the usual source of my being upset with her. She forgets what that age makes of her bones and condition, she always forget that she must take care doubly this time. She knows it when i say it but eventually will do the same thing forgetting she is 82. Sometimes i really get angry! At least in your case you have George who is always at your side, your life is envious. Congratulations for a life very well lived, and still is being fully lived happily.

Late HAPPY BIRTHDAY GREETINGS to you.I've been out of town and am just now catching up reading my blogs.Hope you had a wonderful birthday,I know you and George went somewhere special to celebrate !!BlessingsMarilyn

Oh my stars ~ how did I miss your birthday? Well you know I am hoping you had the most beautiful day and that you are enjoying your week off. I imagine you and George are doing all kinds of fun things and will be already with some new photos to show us when you return.

Happy Birthday, Betsy!!! I found it hard to believe you were turning 70 - you are so energetic I would have sworn you were much younger. Loved seeing the photos. I think my favorite is the last one. :)

Betsy, Yes, you are loved! Look at this - My comment is number 90! So many friends - says you have been friendly towards many others. I think there is a Bible verse about that..."He that would have friends must show himself/herself friendly." I'm happy that you found George and the two of you are perfect together.

Thanks for the comment on my blog. I've just been too busy to do much with it - but decided this morning to do something about that. ☺

Happy birthday, Betsy! You haven't changed all that much and have the same wonderful happy smile your whole life! It was so nice to see your photos and know that each decade of life briongs joy. I'll be 60 next year so U can appreciate the meaning a new decade brings. God bless you in this new decade of your life!

I like all the pics but especially the last one. You look the happiest in that picture. It is crazy how fast time flies by us and like you, my mind and spirit don't feel my age - - - just my body some mornings!